Teachers union questions Pontiac (Mich.) schools' layoff decision

Michigan's largest teachers union is questioning why the Pontiac School District would lay off all of its employees when the district is to receive an estimated $27 million in federal stimulus money. But it may not be that simple. Nearly $10 million of the money Pontiac is to get is targeted toward programs for students who are low-income or who have special-education needs. The rest is part of budget stabilization funds. Georgette Johnson, spokeswoman for the Pontiac district, says some of the money must be spent on construction. And she says the mass layoffs are necessary as the district tries to determine how it will operate fewer schools.
Read The Detroit Free Press article.

EARLIER: Pink slips will go out to more than 700 union employees in the Pontiac (Mich.) School District in the coming weeks after the school board approved massive layoffs in hopes of trimming a projected $11.6 million deficit. The move will affect employees teachers, support staff and administrators. District officials say they will have a plan by April 30 on how many staffers will be recalled for jobs in the 2009-10 school year. For those who don't receive callbacks, the layoffs take effect June 30.
Read The Detroit Free Press article.

ALSO: After the Pontiac school board voted to lay off all employees in the district, Employees attending the meeting spoke with their feet. They walked out en masse. To read The Detroit News article, click here.

The Pontiac (Mich.) School Board has approved a restructuring resolution that calls for the entire district's staff to be laid off and then only the employees needed for the coming school year rehired. The cuts will affect about 670 district employees. The board voted for the resolution, 4-2, at a Monday night meeting. It cited rapid decline in enrollment and in state budget cuts as reasons for the action. The district is facing a near $11 million deficit for the coming year.
To read the ClickOnDetroit.com article, click here.

The Pontiac (Mich.) School District is planning to lay off all its employees effective June 30, and will call them back as needed next school year. In a letter Interim Superintendent Linda Paramore sent to employees, workers will be recalled based on seniority, certification and qualifications. Human Resources and the curriculum department will initiate the recall process with assistance of the president of the Pontiac Education Association. Read The Detroit News article.

ALSO: The Pontiac School Board is holding a meeting next week and is expected to vote on whether to move forward with the proposal. Read The Detroit Free Press article.